Waiting for the first harvest following the lifting of the ceremonial ban on fishing in the Cape Coast Fosu Lagoon proved worth the while of patrons as the Omanhene’s net, this time round, made an impressive catch.
Last year, the chiefs and people of Cape Coast, and its tourists, who gathered at the bank of the Lagoon for that ceremony were disappointed, as the catch was nothing to write home about.
Indeed, some observers interpret a poor catch as a bad omen.
The two-week ban on fishing in the lagoon and noise making in the Municipality is one of the major activities that herald the celebration of the annual Fetu Afahye.
It is imposed to allow the lagoon to replenish after an all year round of harvesting, as well as to give the gods some “peace of mind”.
During the ritual, the Omanhene's net is cast three times into the lagoon, amidst the firing of musketry. This is performed after a stick, planted in the lagoon to signify the ban, is uprooted.
Traditionalists anticipate that the quantity of fishes caught would indicate whether there would be a bumper harvest or a lean one in the new season.
So, for them, the Omanhene’s net raking in some crabs, the emblem of the town, with this year’s symbolic good harvest, signified answered prayers for bumper harvest of both foodstuffs, and fishes.
The ceremony was interspersed with some rituals such as the pouring of libation at the banks of the lagoon, and at the Fosu shrine, to show appreciation to the gods of the lagoon.
According to the history of the town, the gods gave the early settlers the gift of fish and continued to fill the lagoon with fishes.
And so, the grateful crowd excitedly cheered, each time the musketry was fired.
When the harvesting was all done with, the priests and priestesses proceeded with the catch in a procession, to the Emimtsimadze Palace, amidst drumming, dancing, and incantations, to present it to Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area and other members of the Traditional Council.
Osabarima, who appeared happy with the fortunes, said it was an indication that the gods were ready to support Oguaaman.
He, therefore, called on all citizens of Ghana’s maiden capital, to eschew the petty quarrels, backbiting and unwarranted criticisms that were gradually characterising the traditional area.
He urged the people of Oguaa to rather embrace peace and unity to attract more blessings from the gods.
Earlier, a regatta sponsored by Kasapreko Company Limited, with the support of Airtel Ghana, was held on the Fosu Lagoon. Three out of the seven 'Asafo' companies, namely Anaafo, Nkum and Bentsir, participated.
After three races through about the 300 metre- length lagoon, in wooden canoes and busy paddles, the men from Bentsir proved the strength of their muscles and emerged champions.
They were rewarded with four cartons of Kasapreko liquor, GH¢400, and a newly introduced trophy, which would be permanently kept by any Asafo company which wins it for three consecutive times.
The Nkum group , which took the second position, was given three cartons of Kasapreko liquor in addition to a cash prize of GH¢300.00 while Anaafo, the third, took home two cartons of Kasapreko liquor and GH¢200.00
The energetic race was witness by hundreds of people, including members of the Oguaa Traditional Council, who were clad in black and mourning clothes, in remembrance of the ancestors who discovered the town.
The year’s celebration, which marks 50 years of Fetu Afahye, is on the theme: “Celebrating Oguaaman, Past Achievements, the Way Forward”.
Though the festival outdates 50 years, it was from 1964 that it became an annual celebration.
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